San Diego

At a glance

Trip estimate

$680–$940

1 traveler · 5 nights · before flights · rock bottom

Best time to go

April to June or September to November

Nearest airport

SAN

Knownness

73 / 100

Well known

Where to stay

Hostels and budget stays only, from listings (checked 2026-11-12). Check current prices and availability on Booking.com.

• 

  HI San Diego Downtown Hostel

  Hostel · 3-star · Gaslamp Quarter · 521 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101

  8.6 / 10 · 1,548 Booking.com reviews

  Dorm beds seen from about $37 a night, taxes in (checked 2026-11-08); not a live price

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Private Double Room Ensuite · Private Double Room · Private Quad Room Ensuite · +2 more

  Expected bed price by month

  1. J$35
  2. F$37
  3. M$39
  4. A$39
  5. M$41
  6. J$46
  7. J$50
  8. A$50
  9. S$41
  10. O$37
  11. N$35
  12. D$37
  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Samesun Ocean Beach Hotel & Hostel

  Hostel · 3-star · Ocean Beach · 4961 Newport Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107

  On Ocean Beach's main street, steps from the sand and Hodad's

  • dorm beds
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Budget Double Room · Budget Twin Room · Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room · +2 more

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Days Inn by Wyndham San Diego Hotel Circle

  Hotel · 3-star · Mission Valley · 543 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108

  7.8 / 10 · 4,087 Booking.com reviews

  Private rooms off Interstate 8, central for driving to beaches and Old Town

  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: King Room · Queen Room with Two Queen Beds · King Room with Mobility/Hearing Impaired Access - Non-Smoking

  Sleeps up to 28 · Extra-large double bed (Super-king size), Large bed (King size)

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Kings Inn

  Hotel · 3-star · Mission Valley · 1333 Hotel Circle South, San Diego, CA 92108

  Budget motel in Hotel Circle, near Old Town

  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: King Standard · Standard Queen Room w/Two Queen Beds · King Superior · +2 more

  Sleeps up to 19 · Double bed, Extra-large double bed (Super-king size), Large bed (King size)

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  California Dreams Hostel - Downtown

  Hostel · 615 8th Avenue, San Diego, San Diego County, CA 92101

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room · Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room · Deluxe Queen Room · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  California Dreams Hostel - Ocean Beach

  Hostel · 3790 Udall Street, San Diego, San Diego County, CA 92107

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room · Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room · Single Bed in 10-Bed Dormitory Room · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  California Dreams Hostel - Pacific Beach

  Hostel · 743 Emerald Street, San Diego, San Diego County, CA 92109

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Double Room with Shared Bathroom · Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room · Bed in 14-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗
• 

  Gaslamp Hostel

  Hostel · 3-star · 726 5th Avenue, San Diego, San Diego County, CA 92101

  • dorm beds
  • free cancellation on some rates
  • free Wi-Fi

  Rooms: Bed in 4-bed All-Gender Dormitory Room · Private Bunk Bed Room - Shared Bathroom · 4-Bed Private Room · +1 more

  See rooms and prices ↗

Where to eat

• Las Cuatro Milpas $

  Barrio Logan institution; handmade tortillas and rolled tacos

  4.6 on Google · 4,555 reviews · Walk in · Mon 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Hodad's Ocean Beach $$

  Ocean Beach burgers; the bacon cheeseburger

  4.6 on Google · 6,254 reviews · Walk in · Mon 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Lucha Libre Taco Shop $

  Wrestling-themed taco shop; the surfin' California burrito

  4.3 on Google · 4,353 reviews · Walk in · Mon 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Phil's BBQ $$

  Ribs and barbecue sandwiches

  4.6 on Google · 12,407 reviews · Walk in · Mon 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• Liberty Public Market

  Food hall in Liberty Station; something for everyone

  4.7 on Google · 8,297 reviews · Walk in · Mon 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

• The Taco Stand $

  Baja-style tacos; the al pastor

  4.6 on Google · 6,669 reviews · Walk in · Mon 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Map and hours ↗

Things to do

• Free · 3 hr

  Balboa Park

  Gardens, Spanish-style architecture and walking paths; museums inside charge separately

  Map ↗

• Free · 1 hr

  La Jolla Cove

  Sea lions and seals on the rocks, tide pools at low tide

  Map ↗

• Free · 1 hr

  Sunset Cliffs Natural Park

  Clifftop walk for sunset over the Pacific

  Map ↗

• Free · 1.5 hr

  Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

  Free historic park with small museums and adobe buildings

  Map ↗

• About $30–40 · 3 hr

  USS Midway Museum

  Aircraft carrier museum on the bay

  Tickets on ↗

• About $70–85 · 5 hr

  San Diego Zoo

  The city's famous zoo in Balboa Park

  Tickets on ↗

From the airport

Public transit

MTS Route 992 runs directly from both terminals to downtown, across from Santa Fe Depot. About $2.50 one way, or a $6 day pass earned by tapping a card or the PRONTO app.

Fares come from an older MTS fare sheet; check current fares before you go. Check MTS

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft run from the terminals. About $10–20 to downtown, 10–15 minutes; expect surges during big events.

Uber to HI San Diego Downtown Hostel ↗

San Diego International Airport (SAN) is about 3 miles from downtown.

Know before you go

GlobTrek's San Diego cost model, dated August 2026. Estimates, not live prices. Check live rates with the booking partner.

• Check entry requirements (U.S. Department of State)
• Read the travel advisory (U.S. Department of State)